Noise reduction in brakes & clutches

Abstract

Noise control systems and methods for brakes and clutches are disclosed, in which voltage profiles comprise at least one or two step profiles and at least one ramp profile. The voltage profiles are selectively applied to at least one of a stationary member or rotary member of the brake or clutch in order to decrease noise during operation thereof. Such systems and methods can be adapted for use in medical imaging equipment, particularly to decrease the noise of brakes and clutches commonly associated therewith.

1 . A noise control method for a brake or clutch, comprising: 
 coupling a stationary member to a rotary member of a brake or clutch, wherein attraction or repulsion between the stationary member and rotary member results from an apply or release operation of the brake or clutch, and    applying a voltage profile to at least one of the stationary member or rotary member during operation of the brake or clutch in order to move the stationary member or rotating member relative to one another at one or more desired speeds in order to decrease noise during operation of the brake or clutch.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the voltage profile comprises at least one step profile and at least one ramp profile.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the voltage profile comprises at least two step profiles and at least one ramp profile.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the voltage profile comprises at least one ramp profile intermediate at least two step profiles.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the voltage profile comprises one or more dc voltage pulses.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising adjusting the voltage profile in response to one or more variations in supply voltage.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the brake or clutch is adapted for use in medical imaging equipment.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the stationary member and rotary member are constructed from at least a portion of metallic material and wherein applying the voltage profile reduces metal-to-metal contact during operation of the brake or clutch.  
   
   
       9 . A noise control method for a brake or clutch, comprising: 
 generating a voltage profile having at least one step profile and at least one ramp profile; and    applying the voltage profile to at least one of a stationary member or rotary member of a brake or clutch in order to decrease noise during operation of the brake or clutch.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the voltage profile comprises at least two step profiles.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein at least one ramp profile is intermediate at least two step profiles.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the voltage profile comprises one or more dc voltage pulses.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising adjusting the voltage profile in response to one or more variations in supply voltage.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the brake or clutch is adapted for use in medical imaging equipment.  
   
   
       15 . A noise controller for a brake or clutch, comprising: 
 a stationary member coupled to a rotary member of a brake or clutch, wherein attraction or repulsion between the stationary member and rotary member results from an apply or release operation of the brake or clutch, and    a voltage generator operatively coupled to at least one of the stationary member or rotary member, wherein the voltage generator generates a voltage profile comprising at least one step profile and at least one ramp profile that are selectively applied to at least one of the stationary member and rotating member in order to reduce noise during operation of the brake or clutch.    
   
   
       16 . The noise controller of  claim 15 , further comprising: 
 a drive unit coupling the voltage generator to at least one of the stationary member and rotary member.    
   
   
       17 . The noise controller of  claim 15 , wherein the brake or clutch is adapted for use in medical imaging equipment.  
   
   
       18 . Medical imaging equipment, comprising: 
 a stationary member coupled to a rotary member of a brake or clutch of the medical imaging equipment, wherein attraction or repulsion between the stationary member and rotary member results from an apply or release operation of the brake or clutch, and    a voltage generator operatively coupled to at least one of the stationary member or rotary member, wherein the voltage generator generates a voltage profile comprising at least one step profile and at least one ramp profile that are selectively applied to at least one of the stationary member and rotating member in order to reduce noise during operation of the brake or clutch.    
   
   
       19 . The medical imaging equipment of  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 a drive unit coupling the voltage generator to at least one of the stationary member and rotary member.